Hi railfans, I’m Matt Peddlesden the Senior Producer on Train Sim World 2 at Dovetail Games. This week our new simulation launches on PlayStation 4. Read on for our top ten tips as you start playing, to make sure you have everything you need to become an experienced train driver.
Start a Journey
Train Sim World 2 features three routes: Bakerloo Line, Köln – Aachen and Sand Patch Grade. Whichever you choose to play you’ll have the option of starting a new Journey. This is one of the best ways to get started — each Journey consists of tutorials, scenarios and services carefully selected to guide you through curated gameplay. Starting with simple tasks before testing you with more complex services.
Play the Tutorials
If you are a new driver, the controls of each locomotive can seem daunting at first. Fear not, we have included fun and easy to understand tutorials for each of the six locomotives included in Train Sim World 2. A brand-new immersion controller scheme also makes commands simple to learn. Don’t forget, if you need a quick refresher the tutorials are always there for you to have another try.
Watch the HUD
You’ll find lots of valuable information to help you drive during each session. The pause screen includes your train info as well as schedule details, whilst a re-designed HUD keeps pertinent information at your disposal. As well as speed you can see safety systems, brake pressure, door status and more. When you’re travelling at 250km/h across Germany this kind of information becomes critical. The HUD can also be resized to help with visibility or removed completely for an authentic experience.
Learn Your Loco
So, you’ve completed a tutorial and your first challenge. As you progress you’ll start to learn more about each of the locomotives. Each has their own unique control and safety systems, tailored to suit their role, and will behave differently on the rails. Everything from the type of power, weight and braking systems will change how you play. You’ll also have to adjust for weather conditions and grades with the new adhesion feature. Learn the nuances of each locomotive to ensure smooth running.
Know the Route
It’s not just the loco you need to learn. Each of the routes in Train Sim World 2 are meticulously recreated from the real thing. This means that they also include the areas of the route that are more challenging to navigate. Getting to know when signals or speed limit restrictions are coming up, or memorising braking points for platform stops is important to become a precise driver. Applying the right amount of power or brakes means you will arrive at your destination on time every time.
Check Your Reports
Once you have completed a scenario you will get a detailed breakdown of your progress along the route, how punctual you were, a display of route speed restrictions vs your actual speed and a medal based on performance. Learn from your mistakes, alter the way you drive and try to get a perfect run the next time you play the scenario.
Go For a Walk
Train Sim World 2 gives you the freedom to get out of the cab and explore all that a railway has to offer to foot. With a variety of tasks to complete around the route for those that want to explore. On the Bakerloo Line you will be placing route maps, repairing platform monitors, putting up posters and re-stocking newspapers around the route. Complete route tasks to unlock PlayStation Trophies!
Get Creative
Once you’ve found your favourite locomotive you will want to make it your own, you can do that with a new custom tool, the Livery Designer. Create your own unique look for your locomotives and wagons using a large selection of decals and colours, building up layers to make your personal livery. Then take them for a drive and see what they look like on your favourite part of each route.
Railfan Shots
Rolling mountains, amazing architecture and urban cityscapes bring Train Sim World 2 to life and really immerse you in the world of driving trains. These incredible backdrops often perfectly frame a locomotive so why not jump out of the cab, find the perfect spot and capture those locomotives as they pass by. The ‘Railfan Shot’ feature allows you to save your photos to a gallery online.
Create a Scenario
Played through a full Journey on your favourite route and want more? Use the Scenario Planner to drive what you want where you want, building up a custom scenario with your choice of locomotives. This includes defying the laws of physics with an ‘Off The Rails’ option. So, if you want to take a German electric train up the side of a US mountain range… You can!
Go have fun with Train Sim World 2, coming to PlayStation on August 20! There’s a 15% loyalty discount at launch if you already own Train Sim World 2020 — simply go to the Train Sim World in-game store to purchase.
